I'm Taking the Special K Challenge

I just got through having my second baby by c-section in under two years. My babies are only 20 months apart. Having two pregnancies and two c-sections that close together after the age of 30 really took it's toll on my body.

I really want to lose weight, but I'm breastfeeding. So, diet drinks and pills are out of the question. I need something easy and convenient because with two babies to care for I don't have time to count calories, weigh food, or prepare fancy meals.

The Special K Diet is perfect for me. I can eat a bowl of Special K cereal for breakfast and lunch when I have time, and when I don't have time I grab a Special K cereal bar. In between meals, I stay hydrated and satisfied with the Special K protein water.

I also tend to get bored easily, but Special K has a lot of different flavors to choose from in their cereals, bars, and protein waters. I usually have two to three varieties of each in my pantry and just rotate the different flavors so I don't get bored.

I started the Special K Challenge when my second baby was four months old. I had to add a little more calories and protein to my plan since I'm breastfeeding.

Here's what I've been doing:

• Bowl of Special K Cereal for Breakfast (I alternate between Cinnamon Pecan and Chocolatey Delight).


• Handful of almonds, a Special K cereal bar, and a piece of fruit for a mid-morning snack.


• Bowl of Special K Cereal for lunch.


• Special K protein water for an early afternoon pick-me-up and a handful of almonds.


• Light yogurt (with added fiber) and a piece of fruit for a mid-afternoon snack.


• An average supper (whatever I feel like cooking: spaghetti, roast, meatloaf, etc).

My son just turned five months old. Sticking to the above plan for the past month has given me the following results:

• Lost 12 pounds.


• Gone from wearing my large maternity clothes to a normal size 10.


• My body now curves in at the waist again (had no defined waist when I started the Special K plan).

A couple of months later, I still ate Special K cereal for breakfast and kept my two snacks the same, but added in a normal, sensible lunch (instead of cereal for lunch. Here were my results after my son turned 10 months old:

• Lost a total of 67 pounds.


• My face was noticeably thinner.


• Flatter tummy.

This is where my Special K journey ends. Shortly after my son turned 10 months old, I got pregnant again.

I'm very pleased with my Special K Challenge results. It was an easy and convenient way for me to get the baby weight off. I also felt great the whole time.

• Special K Cereal -- Many flavors to choose from (Original, Chocolatey Delight, Cinnamon Pecan, Red Berries, Vanilla Almond, Fruit and Yogurt). All of them taste great. The cinnamon and chocolate are my two favorites, but when I get tired of them I eat the almond one or the berry one. They are all yummy. I'm allergic to oats and soy, so this makes Special K cereals the perfect choice for me. I eat them with 1% milk, because I don't like skim.


• Special K Cereal Bars -- The cereal bars are intended to be a snack. They are not intended to be a meal replacement. They really take the edge off of your hunger, taste great, and have some vitamins. They taste a big like a grown up rice crispy treat. They come in a lot of flavors (Peaches and berries, Honey Nut, Strawberry, Blueberry, Chocolatey Drizzle, Vanilla Crisp). The chocolate is my favorite.


• Special K Protein Bars -- These are intended for meal replacement, but they are soy protein (I'm allergic) so I have not been able to try them. They come in your choice of Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolatey Chip, Double Chocolate, or Strawberry.


• Special K Protein Water -- This is my favorite Special K product. Not only does it have 5 grams of protein (whey protein) and taste great, but it's also packed with B vitamins. The B vitamins really keep me going. It's better than a shot of espresso!